Impaired global efficiency in boys with conduct disorder and high callous unemotional traits

Yali Jiang; Yidian Gao; Daifeng Dong; Xiaoqiang Sun; Weijun Situ; Shuqiao Yao

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.04.041

Impaired global efficiency in boys with conduct disorder and high callous unemotional traits

J Psychiatr Res. 2021 Jun:138:560-568. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.04.041. Epub 2021 Apr 29.

Authors

Yali Jiang¹, Yidian Gao², Daifeng Dong², Xiaoqiang Sun², Weijun Situ³, Shuqiao Yao⁴

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, South China Normal University, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: yalijiang09@163.com.
² Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
³ Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
⁴ Medical Psychological Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center on Psychiatry and Psychology, Changsha, China; Medical Psychological Institute of Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Changsha, China. Electronic address: shuqiaoyao@csu.edu.cn.

PMID: 33991994
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.04.041

Abstract

Callous unemotional (CU) traits differentiate subtypes of conduct disorder (CD). It has been suggested that CU traits may be related to topographical irregularities that hinder information integration. To date, there is limited evidence of whether CU traits may be associated with abnormal brain topology. In this study, 43 CD boys with high and low CU trait (CD-HCU, CD-LCU), and 46 healthy controls (HCs) were subjected to resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate how CU trait level and conduct problems may be reflected in topological organization. Brain functional networks were constructed and network/nodal properties, including small-world properties and network/nodal efficiency, were calculated. Topological analysis revealed that, compared with HCs, CD-HCU group were characterized by decreased small-worldness (σ), decreased global efficiency, and increased path length (λ). These variables were similar between the CD-LCU and HC groups. Self-reported CU traits in CD patients correlated negatively with global efficiency and positively with λ. Regional analysis revealed diminished nodal efficiency in the right amygdala in the CD-HCU group compared with HCs. The present results suggest that disrupted global efficiency, together with a regional abnormality affecting the amygdala, may contribute to abnormal information processing and integration in adolescents with CD and high CU traits.

Keywords: Callous unemotional traits; Conduct disorder; Graph theory; Network efficiency; Resting-state.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Amygdala
Brain / diagnostic imaging
Conduct Disorder* / diagnostic imaging
Emotions
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male